Not because I believe that Kasparov isn't trying to change the government in Russia, but because I'm not convinced what Kasparov understands by democracy is what the rest of us understand by democracy. He certainly had difficulties with the concept when he was involved with both the Grandmasters Association (GMA) and the Professional Chess Association (PCA), quitting both organisations when he didn't get his way. And his reconciliation with FIDE in 2002 had more to do with financial rewards than any idealogical compromises.
The biggest problem that Kasparov will face if his campaign is successful is realising his personal interests aren't the same as the countries interests. Certainly he was unable to do so at the 1992 Chess Olympiad, when he was a judge on the panel to decide the "Best Game Prize". He felt there was no conflict between his role as a judge and the fact that he had submitted 3 of his own games for judging. Of course he won the prize for "Best Game" (played against Nikolic), while relegating the following game to 2nd place.
Rogers,I - Milos,G [A41]
Manila Olympiad Manila Olympiad (10), 1992
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d6 3.Nc3 Bg4 4.e4 e6 5.h3 Bh5 6.Qe2 c6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Bg5 Be7 9.Bxf6 Bxf6 10.h4 h6 11.0-0-0 Nd7 12.Kb1 Qc7 13.Rg1 h5 14.g5 Be7 15.d5 e5 16.Bh3 0-0-0 17.Nd2 Kb8 18.Nc4 Nb6 19.Nxb6 Qxb6 20.Rd3 Ka8 21.a3 Rdf8 22.Bf5 Bh7 23.Rgd1 g6 24.dxc6 bxc6 25.Bd7 Qc7 (D)
26.Bxc6+ Qxc6 27.Nd5 Bd8 28.Rc3 Qb7 29.Rb3 Qc6 30.Rdd3 Ba5 31.Rdc3 Bxc3 32.Qa6 1-0
So while "Sic semper tyrannis" and all that, I'm not convinced that Kasparov is looking to replace the system, rather than just the man.
2 comments:
Shaun,
I can see Putin ringing to offer you a temporary job :)
They are all relevant points, well worth considering. Hope you are able to do a similar dissertation upon various candidates in the upcoming Federal election :)
Take care, Phil
From Susan Polgar's Blog:
Russians Would Not Back Kasparov
July 10, 2007
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Former chess champion Garry Kasparov might not have a real chance to win Russia’s presidency next year, according to a poll by the Public Opinion Foundation. 69 per cent of respondents say they are unlikely to vote for the leader of the opposition Other Russia coalition.
...Polling Data
Garry Kasparov may possibly run for Russian president in the 2008 presidential elections. Would you be likely or unlikely to vote for Garry Kasparov?
Likely 10%
Unlikely 69%
Hard to answer 21%
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